Electric lamp and discharge devices: systems – Pulsating or a.c. supply
Patent
1998-01-07
1999-11-30
Wong, Don
Electric lamp and discharge devices: systems
Pulsating or a.c. supply
315250, 315260, 313607, H05B 4100
Patent
active
059948493
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention concerns a method for operating a lighting system with an incoherently emitting radiation source, particularly a discharge lamp, by means of dielectrically impeded discharge in accordance with the preamble of claim 1. The invention also concerns a lighting system suited for the said method of operation in accordance with the preamble of claim 12.
Incoherently emitting radiation sources are understood to be UV (Ultraviolet) and IR (Infrared) radiators as well as discharge lamps, in particular, those which radiate visible light.
INDUSTRIAL USES
These types of radiation sources are suited, according to the spectrum of the emitted radiation, for general purpose and auxiliary lighting, for example, house and office lighting; for background lighting for displays, for example, LCD's (Liquid Crystal Displays); for automotive and signal lighting; for UV irradiation, for example, degermination or photolytics; and for IR irradiation, for example, in the drying of varnishes.
PRIOR ART
A method for operating an incoherently emitting radiation source, particularly a discharge lamp, by means of dielectrically impeded discharge was revealed in WO 94/23442. This operating method requires a sequence of voltage pulses, whereby the individual voltage pulses are separated from one another by idle times. The advantage of this pulsed operation method is a high efficiency in the generation of radiation.
EP 0 363 832 describes a UV high-power radiator with electrodes connected pairwise to the two poles of a high-voltage source. The electrodes are separated from one another and from the discharge chamber of the radiator by dielectric material. Such electrodes are hereinafter referred to as "dielectric electrodes". Also, the electrodes are arranged adjacent to one another in a way that allows flattish discharge configurations with relatively flat discharge chambers. An alternating voltage in the magnitude of several 100 V to 20,000 V with a frequency within the range of industrial alternating current of up to a few kHz is applied to the dielectric electrodes so that an electrical creeping discharge forms essentially only in the region of the dielectric surface.
The primary disadvantage in this is that the creeping discharges stress the surface thermally and, therefore, cooling channels for the dissipation of heat from the dielectric are proposed. The efficiency of the generation of radiation, particularly in the UV and VUV (Vacuum Ultraviolet) range, is limited by the unavoidable, substantial heat generation of this discharge type. Additionally, a creeping discharge causes chemical processes on the surface and shortens the life of the radiator.
PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to avoid these disadvantages and to specify a method for the operation of a lighting system, which is distinguished both by a flat discharge chamber and an efficient generation of radiation.
This object is achieved according to the invention by the characterizing features of claim 1. Further advantageous features are explained in the subclaims.
A further object of the invention is to specify a lighting system which is suited for the aforementioned method of operation. This object is achieved according to the invention by the characterizing features of claim 12.
The basic idea of the invention is to generate with adjacent dielectric electrodes a spatial discharge in the interior of the discharge chamber, which has a spacing from the surface of the interior wall of the discharge chamber in the regions between electrodes of opposite polarity. While in the prior art a multitude of creeping discharges along the surface of the dielectric serve to generate UV radiation, the invention suggests the use of a discharge which detaches itself from the dielectric surface and is spatially extended inside the discharge chamber.
The advantages achieved by this are a higher efficiency in the generation of UV and/or VUV Lvacuum Ultraviolet) radiation and, therefore, a reduced generation of heat. In contrast to t
REFERENCES:
patent: 3648100 (1972-03-01), Goldie et al.
patent: 3649864 (1972-03-01), Willemsen
patent: 4427922 (1984-01-01), Proud et al.
patent: 4427923 (1984-01-01), Proud et al.
patent: 4427924 (1984-01-01), Proud et al.
patent: 4430577 (1984-02-01), Bouquet
patent: 5561351 (1996-10-01), Vrionis et al.
patent: 5581152 (1996-12-01), Matsuno et al.
patent: 5604410 (1997-02-01), Vollkommer et al.
Hitzscke Lothar
Stockwald Klaus
Vollkommer Frank
Bessone Carlo S.
Lee Wilson
Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft fuer electrische Gluehlampen mbH
Wong Don
LandOfFree
Method for operating a lighting system and suitable lighting sys does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method for operating a lighting system and suitable lighting sys, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method for operating a lighting system and suitable lighting sys will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1676875